World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS)
Round 4, Sand Hollow, Hurricane, UT
Apr 11-13, 2014
David Ogden Jr (#669): Last out of the gate, First to the Checkered
Deep, loose red sand created dunes covering half the course, including the starting gate area of picturesque Sand Hollow. The other half was a mixture of single line and multi-line treks amongst the vegetation, and with areas of large, square edged rocky patches. Two distinct sections made up the eight mile course, one distinct mission was only thing important – cover more distance than anyone else in 60 minutes.
On Saturday, the sandy gates would erode under David Ogden’s Duncan Racing/OMF Performance Honda, resulting in slow starts to the first corner, but that would be the only place Ogden seem slow. Debuting a new Scorpion USA Quartz helmet in neon yellow and SMX Optics goggles, it was easy to see just how fast he would start running the competition down. At the end of lap one, the 669 was third through the chicane. Continuing to get comfortable and trying new lines throughout the course, Ogden would push his way thru track traffic, closing the 30 second gap from second place and then extending it by another 15 seconds at the chicane to complete lap two. The FasstCo Flexxbar/ODI Grip rider would remain in second until the final lap – nearly 50 seconds behind. Recognizing it was now or never, Ogden rode on the edge, enabling him to close in and overtake the competition for the lead. At the checkered flag, the 669 would be the first to cross and take the win in the Open B class.
An early Sunday morning found David Ogden’s 669 Honda back on the gates and lined up for the 40+B class. Again, the loose sand would wreak havoc on his start, clearly having him come out of the first corner in fourth. Over the whoops and across the road, Ogden had his sights on getting to the front swiftly, but catching a big rock with a back wheel would buck him sideways and put him into the yellow course tape… stalled! Shedding the tape and getting restarted, the 669 was back on the hunt. Over the next 7.5 miles, Ogden would work his way to the front of the pack, but he came into the last wash too hot and buried his Honda in the sand… and again, stalled! With less than a quarter mile remaining in the first lap, Ogden would go from 1st to 3rd. Back on the move, Ogden’s Roll Design/Elka Suspension/GPR Stabilizer Honda exited the chicane for the first time and laid down the fastest lap of the class, putting him in the front. The remaining three laps would find Ogden still out front, as he raced to his second top podium finish for the weekend.
A special “Thank You” to Anthony Fenton for maintenance and motivational support throughout the weekend. Dave Ogden Racing would also like thank all of the 2014 sponsors, without whom the season would be much more difficult to complete: OMF Performance, Duncan Racing Int’l, Roll Design, Elka Suspension, GPR Stabilizers, Infectious Racing, ODI Grips, Fasst Company, SMX Optics, Scorpion USA, Leatt Brace, GoPro.